HSE KNOWLEDGE NETWORK

Misbah Ul Haq – OHS professional D. G. Cement

HSE Scaffolding Safety Plan

Purpose

To ensure safe erection, use, and dismantling of scaffolding in an industrial workplace (e.g.,
cement plant in Norfolk, VA), in compliance with OSHA’s Scaffolding Standard (29 CFR
1926.451). This plan integrates with clinic services and medical coverage to protect worker
health, ensure safety, and minimize environmental impact during scaffolding operations.

Scope

Applies to all workers, supervisors, and HSE personnel involved in scaffolding activities
(e.g., maintenance, construction). Links to on-site and off-site medical services for injury
response.

1. Scaffolding Design and Inspection

Objective

Ensure scaffolding is structurally sound and safe for use.

Procedures

• Design:
o Use only OSHA-compliant scaffolding (e.g., supported or suspended systems)
designed by a qualified person (e.g., Professional Engineer).
o Ensure load capacity supports at least 4 times the maximum intended load
(e.g., workers, tools, cement bags).
o Provide guardrails, toeboards, and midrails on platforms above 10 feet.

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 HSE KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
Misbah Ul Haq – OHS professional D. G. Cement

• Pre-Use Inspection:
o Conduct daily inspections by a Competent Person before each shift, checking
for:
▪ Structural integrity (e.g., no bent frames, secure bracing).
▪ Stable footing (e.g., base plates on mudsills, no uneven ground).
▪ Proper guardrails and access ladders.
▪ No debris or slippery surfaces (e.g., cement dust).
o Tag scaffolds as “Safe,” “Unsafe,” or “Under Construction” using color-coded
tags (green, red, yellow).
• Maintenance:
o Repair or replace damaged components (e.g., cracked planks) immediately.
o Store scaffolding components in a dry, covered area to prevent corrosion.

Responsibilities

• Competent Person: Conducts inspections and approves scaffold use.

• HSE Supervisor: Maintains inspection logs and verifies repairs.
• Workers: Report defects (e.g., loose bolts) to supervisors immediately.

2. Scaffolding Erection and Dismantling

Objective

Ensure safe assembly and disassembly of scaffolding to prevent collapses or falls.

Procedures

• Erection:
o Only trained scaffold erectors (certified per OSHA 1926.454) perform
assembly.
o Follow manufacturer’s instructions and site-specific plan.

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 HSE KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
Misbah Ul Haq – OHS professional D. G. Cement

o Secure scaffolding to the structure (e.g., building or kiln) with ties every 26
feet vertically and 30 feet horizontally.
o Install fall protection (e.g., guardrails or personal fall arrest systems) before
workers access platforms.
o Use level, stable ground; install mudsills or base plates to prevent sinking.
• Dismantling:
o Remove materials (e.g., tools, debris) from platforms before dismantling.
o Lower components to the ground using ropes or hoists; do not drop.
o Dismantle in reverse order of erection, ensuring workers use fall protection.
• Safety Controls:
o Cordon off work area with barriers and “Scaffolding Work in Progress” signs.
o Prohibit work during high winds (>25 mph) or storms.

Responsibilities

• Scaffold Erectors: Perform erection/dismantling under Competent Person

supervision.
• HSE Team: Verifies fall protection and area barricades.
• Workers: Stay clear of restricted areas unless authorized.

3. Worker Training and Competency

Objective

Equip workers with skills to safely work on or around scaffolding.

Procedures

• Training Program:
o Conduct initial training for all scaffold users within 7 days of hire, covering:
▪ Scaffold hazards (e.g., falls, falling objects, electrical contact).
▪ Proper use of PPE (e.g., harnesses, hard hats).

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 HSE KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
Misbah Ul Haq – OHS professional D. G. Cement

▪ Safe access (e.g., ladders, no climbing frames).

▪ Load limits and material handling.
▪ Emergency procedures (e.g., fall rescue, injury response).
o Provide advanced training for erectors/dismantlers on assembly and
inspection.
o Use simple English and visual aids; offer Urdu translations if needed.
• Frequency:
o Annual refresher training for all workers.
o Monthly toolbox talks on specific risks (e.g., scaffold tipping).
o Quarterly fall rescue drills.
• Documentation:
o Log training in HSE database; issue certification cards (valid 1 year).

Responsibilities

• HSE Trainer: Delivers training and maintains records.

• Workers: Attend training and follow safety protocols.

4. Safe Work Practices

Objective

Minimize risks during scaffold use through standardized procedures.

Procedures

• Access and Movement:

o Use only designated ladders or stair towers for access; prohibit climbing
scaffold frames.
o Keep platforms clear of tools, cement bags, or debris to prevent tripping.
o Limit platform occupancy to authorized workers (e.g., max 3 per 10-foot
section).

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 HSE KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
Misbah Ul Haq – OHS professional D. G. Cement

• Fall Protection:
o Wear personal fall arrest systems (e.g., full-body harnesses anchored to secure
points) on platforms without guardrails or during erection/dismantling.
o Install guardrails (toprail at 38–45 inches, midrail, toeboards) on all open sides
above 10 feet.
o Use debris nets or screens to catch falling objects.
• Load Management:
o Do not exceed scaffold load capacity (e.g., 500 lbs for light-duty scaffolds).
o Distribute materials evenly; avoid stacking cement bags in one area.
• Environmental Hazards:
o Suspend work during rain, snow, or high winds to prevent slips or scaffold
instability.
o Remove cement dust from platforms daily to reduce slip risks.

Responsibilities

• Workers: Follow access, PPE, and load rules; report hazards (e.g., wet platforms).
• Supervisors: Monitor compliance and enforce work stoppage in unsafe conditions.
• HSE Team: Conducts daily safety checks during scaffold use.

5. Emergency Response and Medical Integration

Objective

Provide rapid response to scaffold-related injuries, linking to clinic services and medical
coverage.

Procedures

• Fall or Injury Response:

1. Worker alerts supervisor via radio or alarm.

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 HSE KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
Misbah Ul Haq – OHS professional D. G. Cement

2. On-site first aider (trained in CPR, trauma care) stabilizes injured worker (e.g.,
apply pressure to wounds, immobilize fractures).
3. For severe injuries (e.g., head trauma, falls >10 feet), call 911 and transport to
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital (757-388-3000).
4. HSE Supervisor logs incident in “Scaffold Injury Report” and investigates
within 48 hours.
• Fall Rescue:
1. Deploy trained rescue team (equipped with ropes, harnesses) to retrieve fallen
worker suspended in harness.
2. Lower worker to ground within 15 minutes to prevent suspension trauma.
3. Administer first aid at on-site clinic; refer to Tidewater Occupational Center
(757-461-3890) for follow-up.
• Medical Integration:
1. On-site clinic stocks trauma kits (e.g., splints, bandages), restocked weekly.
2. Off-site clinics (Norfolk Community Health Center, 757-683-2692;
HOPES Free Clinic, 757-446-0366) provide care for uninsured workers or
chronic injuries (e.g., repetitive strain).
3. Injuries covered by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (833-988-2030) or
workers’ compensation (Virginia WCC, 877-664-2566).
• Training:
1. Quarterly first aid and fall rescue training for all workers.
2. Annual drill simulating scaffold collapse or fall.

Responsibilities

• First Aiders: Administer initial treatment and coordinate hospital transfers.

• HSE Supervisor: Oversees rescue operations and incident reporting.
• Workers: Report injuries immediately and assist in rescue if trained.

6. Environmental Protection

Objective
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 HSE KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
Misbah Ul Haq – OHS professional D. G. Cement

Minimize environmental impact from scaffolding activities.

Procedures

• Waste Management:
o Dispose of scaffold-related waste (e.g., broken planks, metal scraps) in
designated bins, collected weekly by licensed vendors per Norfolk Health
Department standards.
o Recycle metal components where possible.
• Dust Control:
o Use water sprays to suppress cement dust during scaffold work near grinding
areas.
o Cover scaffold platforms with tarps to prevent dust dispersion.
• Site Protection:
o Place barriers to prevent scaffold materials from entering storm drains.
o Conduct daily cleanup to remove debris from work areas.

Responsibilities

• HSE Team: Manages waste disposal and dust control measures.

• Workers: Report spills or debris to supervisors.

7. Implementation

Steps

1. Scaffold Assessment: Identify scaffold types and locations; develop site-specific

plans within 2 weeks.
2. Training Rollout: Conduct initial scaffold training for workers and erectors within 1
month; schedule monthly toolbox talks.
3. Inspection System: Implement daily inspection and tagging process within 2 weeks.

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 HSE KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
Misbah Ul Haq – OHS professional D. G. Cement

4. Emergency Preparedness: Stock clinic and rescue equipment; conduct first drill
within 6 weeks.
5. Clinic Partnerships: Confirm agreements with Sentara, Norfolk Community Health
Center, and HOPES for injury treatment within 2 months.
6. Monitoring: Begin daily safety checks and weekly equipment audits.

Timeline

• Month 1: Assessment, training, and inspection setup.

• Month 2: Emergency drills and clinic partnerships.
• Month 3: Full implementation with ongoing audits.
• Ongoing: Monthly training, daily inspections, and quarterly drills.

8. Evaluation

Metrics

• Compliance: 100% of scaffolds inspected and tagged daily within 3 months.

• Training: 95% worker participation in scaffold training annually.
• Safety: Zero scaffold-related injuries requiring hospitalization in 6 months.
• Environment: No environmental violations (e.g., dust emissions) annually.

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